Skinner Country Americana Sale to Feature Important CollectionsThe Private Collection of Cheryl & Paul Scott; Shaker items from the Collection of Jean Brown; Connecticut River Valley items from William Hubbard

to $1,500). One rare and interesting piece is Blackstone’s own wooden trade sign, used to advertise his carvings (lot 653, $800 to $1,200). The sign reads “All Bird Models Made of White Pine.” A carved robin perches on a driftwood branch from which the sign hangs.

Cheryl and Paul Scott possess a playful sense of humor. This is evident in many of their polychrome folk art carvings, such as a painted fisherman figure with his fishing pole hooked to the seat of his pants (lot 683, $800 to $1,200), and a realistic looking carved pine feather that stands over 25 inches tall (lot 692, $400 to $600).

According to Stephen Fletcher, Director of American Furniture and Decorative Arts, “The Scotts amassed their distinctive and rare private collection of American antiques and folk art over a 35 year period. They collected with their eyes and their hearts, and like all true collectors, they have an encyclopedic memory of when, where, and from whom they purchased these pieces. Skinner is really pleased to be bringing this collection to auction.”

Property from the collection of antiquarian and auctioneer William Hubbard will be featured at the sale. Many of Hubbard’s pieces come from the Connecticut River Valley region. Highlights include a Chippendale fan-carved scroll-top cherry chest-on-chest (lot 948, $8,000 to $12,000), a Federal carved cherry tall case clock, probably from Springfield, MA, with boldly inlaid mahogany pateras (lot 955, $15,000 to $20,000), and a charming James Wells Champney landscape depicting figures enjoying the view from Mount Sugarloaf in South Deerfield (lot 889, $8,000 to $12,000).

Other notable furniture pieces include an oak and pine Hadley chest over two drawers (lot 1026, $15,000 to $25,000). This chest is illustrated and described in Clair Franklin Luther’s The Hadley Chest where she describes the chest as “one of a limited number having square posts turned at the bottom.” A late 17th century red-stained pine box, illustrated in Wallace Nutting’s Furniture of the Pilgrim Century, 1620-1720, is also on offer (lot 1027, $10,000 to $15,000).

Outstanding examples of needlework include a sampler by Mary Talbot of Providence, Rhode Island (lot 1090, $30,000 to $50,000). The sampler is illustrated in the Let Virtue Be a Guide to Thee exhibition catalog, curated and written by Betty Ring, published by the Rhode Island Historical Society in1983. Another fine example of needlework is a garden scene depicting a courting couple (lot 1091, $15,000 to $25,000).

Sales Tax Holiday
Skinner will be holding the Country Americana sale during the two-day sales tax holiday on August 11th and 12th recently passed by the Massachusetts legislature. Skinner customers can enjoy an exemption from the usual 6.25% Massachusetts Sales Tax on items up to $2,500 (including a buyer’s premium) purchased and paid for during the Country Americana sale. Cars and boats are not included.

Previews, Events, Catalogue, and Bidding
Previews for the auction will be held on Thursday, August 9, 2012, 12 p.m.-5 p.m., Friday, August 10, 2012, 12 p.m.-8 p.m., Saturday, August 11, 2012, 12